Apparatus for the combustion firing of asphalt, petroleum and pulverized coal

ABSTRACT

A process and apparatus for the combustion firing of asphalt, petroleum and pulverized coal including a fuel gun having a tubular body, a fuel source and an emulsifying agent source in communication with the fuel gun, a fuel tube assembly passing longitudinally through a substantial portion of the fuel gun tubular body, the fuel tube assembly terminating in a fuel spinner, a gate at the locus of the spinner between the outer periphery of the latter and the inner periphery of the tubular body for admitting the emulsifying agent for mixing with the fuel in an emulsifying chamber after it passes through the fuel spinner, thereby forming an emulsion slurry, the slurry then being fed through a second spinner to a spin chamber prior to discharge from the gun for firing.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Albert W. De Voe R.F.D. 4, Portland.Maine 04105 [21] Appl. No. 747,698 [22] Filed July 25, 1968 [45]Patented Jan. 19, 1971 [54] APPARATUS FOR THE COMBUSTION FIRING OFASPHALT, PETROLEUM AND PULVERIZED COAL 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 239/403, 239/4273, 239/430 [51] Int. Cl B05b 7/04 [50] Fieldof Search 239/400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 427, 427.3, 430

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,399,006 12/1921 Cunerty239/404 1,427,910 9/1922 Quinn... 239/405 1,500,012 7/1924 Staples.239/427X 1,581,223 4/1926 Moore.. 239/404X 1,757,023 5/1930 Smith239/427X 1,826,776 10/1931 Gunther 239/403X 3,072,343 l/l963 Reed239/404 3,176,921 4/1965 De Voe 239/8 1,587,798 6/1926 Owen 239/427.3X

FOREIGN PATENTS 131,175 8/1919 Great Britain 239/402 299,087 8/1954Switzerland 239/405 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. AssistantExaminer-John J. Love Attorney-Shlesinger, Arkwright and GarveyABSTRACT: A process and apparatus for the combustion firing of asphalt,petroleum and pulverized coal including a fuel gun having a tubularbody, a fuel source and an emulsifying agent source in communicationwith the fuel gun, a fuel tube assembly passing longitudinally through asubstantial portion of the fuel gun tubular body, the fuel tube assemblyterminating in a fuel spinner, a gate at the locus of the spinnerbetween the outer periphery of the latter and the inner periphery of thetubular body for admitting the emulsifying agent for mixing with thefuel in an emulsifying chamber after it passes through the fuel spinner,thereby forming an emulsion slurry, the slurry then being fed through asecond spinner to a spin chamber prior to discharge from the gun forfiring.

SHEET 1 [IF 2 PATENTED .IJANI 91971 A'FTORNEYf:

SUMMARY The present invention, is a process and apparatus for refiningfuels such as asphalt, petroleum and pulverized coail preparatory toignition, for effecting complete combustion, the apparatus including afuel gun having a tubular body through which anemulsifying agent such assteam or air is passed. A fuel tube passing through the tubular bodycarries the fuel to a spinner assemblywhere the fuel flows throughhelical grooves to produce a spinning effect. after which it is mixedwith the emulsifying agent to form an emulsion slurry. This slurry isdirected to a second spinner assembly where the emulsion is furtherrefined and then discharged through a plu rality of openings in a nosecone.

OBJECTS OF TI-IE INVENTION combustion firing of a fuel such as asphalt,petroleum and pulverized coal wherein the fuel is fed through a tubularmember and spun prior to mixing with steam or air, for emulsifying. thefuel and producing an emulsion slurry,,following which the emulsionslurry is spun to effect further refinement prior to discharge from thegun for firing.

Another object is to provide apparatus for the combustion firing ofasphalt, petroleum and pulverized coal including a gun in which the fuelis emulsified by steam or air to refine the mixture into a flame-ready"condition, to effect complete combustion thereof at a high flametemperature and producing a highly propagated flame.

Another object is to provide a fuel gun including a tubular body inwhich is centrally mounted a tube assembly through which the fuelpasses, an emulsifying agent being fed under pressure betweenthe tubeassembly and the wall of the tubular housing, the fuel being spun by ahelical member prior to entry into an emulsifying chamber, theemulsifying agent being diffused through a gate adjacent thehelicalmember, the emulsifying agent being mixed with the fuel to form anemulsion slurry which is then fed through a second helical member toproduce a greater refinement effect prior to the discharge from the gun.

A further object is to provide a process and apparatus of the characterdescribed for refining hydrocarbon products to the point where they maybe efficiently employed as a fuel with resultant complete combustion andelimination of polluting smoke and other products of combustion whichhave heretofore prevented the use of such products as fuels.

Gther objects of the invention will be manifest from the followingdescription of the presently preferred forms of the present invention,taken in connection with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly of the presentinvention, portions thereof being shown fragmentarily and in elevation;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1, taken alongthe line 2-2 of FIG. I, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a portion of thefuel gun of the present invention, showing to advantage the spinnermembers;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a spinner body per se;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the spinner body of the present inventionincorporated in a sleeve for mounting in an intermediate portion of thefuel gun;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the spinner body incorporated in a sleevemember for mounting in the discharge terminal of the fuel gun;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a modified formof the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8, lookingin the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 1 TO 6 The process and apparatus of the presentinvention con stitute an improvement over the subject matter of mypreviously granted US. Pat. No. 3,176,92l granted Apr. 6,1965.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention includes a fuel gungenerally designated 10 in operative connection with which is a steam orair equalizing chamber 12 and a fuel source 14. i v

Fuel gun 10 generally comprises a tubular body section 16 to oneterminal of which is threadedly engaged at I8 a body 20. A locking ringis indicated at 22. The forward portionof body 20 is tapered asindicated at 24 and terminates in a reduced extension 26.

An emulsifying agent cap 28 is threadedly engaged at 30 with the rearterminal of tubular body section 16, the cap being provided with acentral opening 32. v In accordance with the present invention, there isprovided a fuel tube assembly generally designated 34 which is centrallymounted within tubular body section 16 and extends longitudinallythrough the major portion thereof. Fuel tube assembly 34 includes a teeblock 36 positioned within tubular body section 16 near the aft endthereof, the tee block including a bore 38 which is coaxial with theaxis of tubular body section .16. A plug 40 is inserted into therearward terminal of bore 38 to prevent the entry of air, steam or othermaterials into the bore. Forwardly of the plug, there are provided apair of tubular members 42 and 44 which are threaded into tee block 36at 46 and 48 respectively for communication with bore 38.Tubes 42 and 44extend from tubular body section 16 and are held in operative positionby a suitable mounting member 50.

Tubular member 42 is connected by a conduit 52 to steam or airequalizing chamber 12 and tubular member 44 is connected by tubularmeans 54 to fuel source 14.

A fuel tube 56 is threadedly engaged at 58 to the forward end of teeblock 36 and extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis of tubularbody 16. It will be noted from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 4 of thedrawing that fuel tube 56 is in spaced relation to the inner wall oftubular body section 16, thus forming an air or steam passageway 60. Theforward terminal I of fuel tube 56 is threadedly engaged at 62 with atubular connector 64,the forward terminal of which is threadedly engagedat 66 with a spinner assembly generally designated 68.

Spinner assembly 68 is shown to advantage in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 andincludes a cylindrical body portion 70 the outer periphery of which isprovided with a series of longitudinal helical grooves 72 andlongitudinal helical lands 74. The diameter of body 70 is uniformthrough a substantial portion of the length thereof, but is graduallyenlarged at the forward terminal as indicated at 76. v

In connection with body 70, there is provided a sleeve 75 one portion ofwhich is threaded at 78 for engagement with complemental threads 66 ofcoupling 64. Sleeve 75 is welded or secured in any other suitablefashion to lands 74 as indicated at 80. Sleeve 75 serves to direct fuelspassing through fuel tube 56 into grooves 72 for producing a spinningeffect on the fuel. An annulus 77 extends outwardly from sleeve 75 intoa space forwardly of reduced extension 26.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that spinner assembly 68extends centrally through an opening in a gate generally designated 82.Gate 82 includes a pair of spaced discs 84 and 86 which are mounted inan annular recess of forward body 20, discs 84 and 86 being providedwith a plurality of staggered openings 88 and 90 through which anemulsifying agent such as steam or air passes.

The air or steam flowing through openings 88 and 90 and the fuel passingthrough grooves 72 of spinner assembly 68 enter an emulsifying chamber92 formed by forward tubular section 20. Due to the spinning effect onthe fuel produced by assembly 68, an intermingling of the fuel and steamor air is effected to break up the fuel'into smaller particles andproduces an emulsion slurry. This slurry moves forward through theemulsifying chamber 92 where further intermingling'occurs after which itenters a first stage emulsion accelerator chamber 94 of graduallydecreasing cross-sectional areas throughout. The emulsion then enters anemulsion alignment chamber 96 and then enters a second emulsionaccelerator chamber 98.

At the forward end of body 20, there is provided a second spinnerassembly 100. Spinner assembly 100 includes a cylindrical body of thesame construction as that employed in spinner assembly 68, like partsbeing identified by like, primed numbers. A sleeve 102. shown toadvantage in FIGS. 4 and 7, is positioned over the body and is welded at104 to lands 74. The outer periphery of sleeve 102 is provided with alongitudinal spline 106 adapted for reception in a complementalprojection of body 20. An annulus 108 extends from the outer peripheryof sleeve 102 at the forward end thereof, and is adapted to abut theterminal of body 20 as shown to advantage in FIG. 4.

The reduced forward terminal 26 of body 20 is threaded at 112 forengagement with a nose cone 114. Nose cone 114 is provided with acentral bore into which spinner assembly 100 extends, the latter beingspaced from the terminal of nose cone 114 to provide a spin chamber 116within which the emulsion slurry is further accelerated and directed.The size of spin chamber 116 may be enlarged by insertion of shims intothe space between adjacent faces of reduced extension 26 and nose cone114, proximate annulus 77. Nose cone 114 is further provided with an endwall 118 having a plurality of circularly arranged discharge outlets 120which are disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the. fuelgun, thereby providing a conical flame pattern when the fuel mixture isdischarged therethrough and ignited.

The emulsifying medium for breaking up the fuel particles is applied bysteam or air equalizing chamber 12 which is connected to a storage tank122 by means of a line 124. Equaliz ing chamber 12 is mounted on fuelgun by supports 128. The steam or air is supplied to the fuel gun by aconduit 130 which is fed through a fitting 132 threadedly engaged in thecentral apperture of cap 28. Tubing 52 extends from a steam source 134and is suitably valved as at 136 to purge the fuel line with steam atshutdown operation. Secondary emulsifying agent is supplied to the fuelgun by a line or lines 138 which extend from equalizing chamber 12 tolongitudinal body section 16, where it is admitted thereto through anopening or openings 140.

OPERATION In use of the apparatus of the present invention, the fuel insource 14 is of high viscosity, is preferably preheated to a suitabletemperature for application. The heated fuel is then fed through line 54into fuel tube assembly 34. Steam is also fed into the fuel tubeassembly through tubing 52 for purging the fuel line preparatory tocessation of firing. Steam or air is fed into the aft end of the gunthrough line 130, which steam or air moves down the length of the fuelgun between the outer periphery of tube 56 and the inner periphery oftubular body section 16. Secondary air is also fed into the tubular bodysection through tubular member or members 134.

As the fuel moving through the fuel tube assembly reaches spinnerassembly 68, the fuel is directed to take a helical path through grooves72 to produce a spinning effect on the fuel which, upon entry intoemulsifying chamber 92, intermixes with the air or steam passing throughopenings 88 and 90 of discs 84 and 86 comprising gate 82 to form anemulsion slurry which is continuously intermingled throughout the lengthof the emulsifying chamber and is accelerated through acceleratorchamber 94. The slurry is then aligned through chamber 96, followingwhich the slurry moves into engagement with second spinner assembly 100.The slurry is directed into grooves 72 of the spinner 100 to once againproduce a spinning effect on the slurry to further accelerate and directthe slurry in chamber 116. At this point, the mixture is in aflame-ready" condition and is discharged through openings 120 in nosecone 114.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 8 AND,9

In FIGS. 8 and 9, there is illustrated a modified form of the presentinvention, and in particular, a center orifice type tip. In this form ofthe invention, the body section of the apparatus is similar to thatemployed in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, andis designated 20'.

Body section 20' includes an emulsifying chamber 96' and an emulsionaccelerator 98' of gradually decreasing cross-sectional area. Reducedportion 26 of body section 20' is threaded at 112 or threaded engagementwith a nose cone 138, the forward face of which is dished at 140 andprovided with a central aperture 142.

A spinner assembly 144 is positioned in the tapering portion 24' of bodysection 20'. Assembly 144 includes a cylindrical body 146, the forwardterminal of which is of reduced conical shape, as indicated at 148.Conical portion 148 extends through central aperture 142 and beyond theforward extremity of nose cone 138. The forward terminal of cylindricalbody 146 is spaced from the forward face of nose cone 138 to pro vide aspin chamber 150 within which the emulsion slurry is further acceleratedand directed.

The outer periphery of cylindrical body 146 is provided with a series oflongitudinal helical grooves 152 and longitudinal helical lands 154. Thediameter of body- 146 is uniform through a substantial portion of thelength thereof, but is gradually enlarged at the forward end asindicated at 156.

A sleeve 158 is welded or secured in any other manner to lands 154,which sleeve serves to direct fuels into grooves 152 of body 146.Sleeve. 158 is provided with a plurality of splineways 160 adapted toreceive splines 162 extending inwardly from body extension 26 to preventrotation of the spinner assembly 144. A sleeve annulus is indicated at164.

Spin chamber 150 may be enlarged in the same manner as described abovein connection with the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6.

Operation of the fuel gun illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is substantiallythe same as described above in connection with the form of invention ofFIGS. 1 to 6. I 7

In the use of the present invention with a hydrocarbon liquid fuel oil,the adhesive liquid structure of the oil is broken up so that anemulsion is sprayed into the combustion chamber in such a fine mist thatignition is effected sooner, and 100 percent combustion of all particlesis possible. This eliminates soot, smoke and other undesirable productsof combustion, thereby preventing air pollution problems. This alsoeliminates the necessity of blowing tubes in boilers in accordance withprevious practice.

The spinner member forming a salient part of the present invention maybe formed with either left-hand or right-hand helices. The depth of thegrooves is based on the amount of oil flow but as long as the groovesare deep enough and wide enough to allow the oil flow demand, variationscan be made by adjustment of pressure.

While there have been herein shown and described the presently preferredforms of the present invention, it is to be understood that such hasbeen done for purposes of illustration only, and that various changesmay be made therein within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for the combustion firing of fuel including:

a a fuel gun;

b. said fuel gun comprising a tubular body section having.

fore and aft terminals;

c. a discharge nozzle at the fore terminal of said tubular body section;

d. a diffusion gate within an intermediate portion of said tubular bodyand extending transversely thereof;

c. said diffusion gate including spaced discs provided with a pluralityof staggered openings; f. a fuel spinner assembly positionedlongitudinally of said tubular body and extending axially through saiddiffusion h. said cylindrical body being provided with a plurality oflongitudinal helical grooves through which fuel passes, to produce aspinning thereof;

i. a fuel source in communication with said fuel spinner assembly;

j. an emulsifying agent source in communication with the aft terminal ofsaid tubular body section for directing an emulsifying agentlongitudinally of said tubular body section through the staggeredopenings of said spaced discs of the diffusion gate; and

k. whereby the fuel passing through the helical grooves of saidcylindrical body assumes a spinning motion, and intermixes with theemulsifying agent passing through the openings of the spaced discs toform an emulsion slurry which is propelled through said tubular bodysection toward said discharge nozzle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the emulsifying agent is steam.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the emulsifying agent is air.

c. said cylindrical body being provided with a plurality of longitudinalhelical grooves through which the emulsion slurry passes, to produce aspinning thereof. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, with the addition of:

a. an emulsifying chamber in said tubular body section forward of saidfirst fuel spinner assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, with the addition of:

a. means connecting said emulsifying agent source to said emulsifyingchamber, for supplying secondary emulsifying agent to the emulsifyingchamber.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, with the addition of:

a. an emulsion accelerator chamber of gradually decreasingcross-sectional area in said tubular body section forward of saidemulsifying chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 with the addition of:

a. an emulsion alignment chamber in said tubular body section forward ofsaid emulsion accelerator chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

a. said discharge nozzle includes a nose cone connected to said tubularbody section; and

b. said nose cone being provided with a plurality of circularly arrangeddischarge outlets disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of saidfuel gun, for providing a conical flame pattern when the fuel mixture isdischarged therethrough and ignited.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

a. said discharge nozzle includes a nose cone connected to said tubularbody section;

b. said nose cone being provided with a central aperture;

and

c. the forward terminal of the cylindrical body of said second fuelspinner assembly being of reduced conical shape.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the emulsifying agent is steam. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the emulsifying agent is air.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, with the addition of: a. a second fuel spinnerassembly extending longitudinally of said tubular body section adjacentsaid discharge nozzle; b. said second fuel spinner assembly including acylindrical body; c. said cylindrical body being provided with aplurality of longitudinal helical grooves through which the emulsionslurry passes, to produce a spinning thereof.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, with the addition of: a. an emulsifying chamber in said tubular bodysection forward of said first fuel spinner assembly.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, with the addition of: a. means connecting said emulsifyingagent source to said emulsifying chamber, for supplying secondaryemulsifying agent to the emulsifying chamber.
 7. The apparatus of claim5, with the addition of: a. an emulsion accelerator chamber of graduallydecreasing cross-sectional area in said tubular body section forward ofsaid emulsifying chamber.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, with the additionof: a. an emulsion alignment chamber in said tubular body sectionforward of said emulsion accelerator chamber.
 9. The apparatus of claim8, wherein: a. said discharge nozzle includes a nose cone connected tosaid tubular body section; and b. said nose cone being provided with aplurality of circularly arranged discharge outlets disposed at an angleto the longitudinal axis of said fuel gun, for providing a conical flamepattern whEn the fuel mixture is discharged therethrough and ignited.10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: a. said discharge nozzle includesa nose cone connected to said tubular body section; b. said nose conebeing provided with a central aperture; and c. the forward terminal ofthe cylindrical body of said second fuel spinner assembly being ofreduced conical shape.